Wood!

Many times I will get a call, and it goes something like this: "My home is so cold and uninviting, Cynthia -- Help!" Honestly, their problem is usually wood.  (continued...)

Don't get me wrong. Wood is rich, wood is timeless, but honestly, too much wood can become, well, sorry, just plain drab. So why are people so stubborn about it? Look, even if you have the most beautiful wood furniture, the most beautiful wood-panelled walls and woodwork, the most beautiful wood floors, there still needs some color for contrast, some fabric for warmth. Think of it this way. When you are adding to your "beautiful wood" with rich and vibrant textures and textiles, you are ABSOLUTELY NOT covering it up. Trust me, you are not hiding it either. You will be astonished by how these techniques will enhance your wood.
 

Ladies, let's think about it another way. Would you leave off the makeup because you are afraid that you are going to hide or cover something up? (Wink) Beautiful adornments actually bring out the natural beauty of wood! To drop a vintage scarf over the top of a table or to add a fabulous pillow to an entry bench or traditional straight-backed chair is not a sin! Au contraire, mon ami! These thoughtful touches add character and interest to your pieces. You can take them off when you tire of them, or the holiday occasion has passed, and they won't even leave a scratch. The vibrant pops of color and rich and interesting textures are simply warming up and breaking up all that tone-on-tone wood environment.
 

Now, the next challenge is to consider what "beautiful wood" really is. Dated furniture is not always fine furiture. Go ahead! Paint an old friend a fun new color for added interest. Start out by visiting your local paint store. You will be amazed by their idea catalogs and brochures. An even smarter idea, take that fabulous new pillow or lamp to the paint store with you. Your paint professional can help point out some excellent highlight colors for your piece. Scared of new, fun colors? Then go with black. Black is timless and always smart. You will be amazed by the many "shades of black" there are to choose from. Trust me, your piece will look much better than its drab old outdated version.
 

A WORD OF WARNING, DO NOT PAINT YOUR WOOD BROWN! This will look like ugly stain has been used. If you are trying very hard to get something in your interior brown, then stain it. Those faux-stain jobs of brown paint fool no one. Outdated 60s panelling with slick finishing is not beautiful. Sand it, prime it and paint it. It will take so much heavy weight out of a room and will create a change that you simply cannot even imagine. The same goes with a fireplace of plain, unattractive brick. If it is not great stone or a pretty brick, or if you just do not like it, PAINT IT! If you can't make yourself do a color, a shining coat of white or black will really kick you into a new frame of mind. Be brave!